Bjcorbin's Blog

George Santayana said that, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it” and after listening to much of the recent political rhetoric, I feel certain that he’s right. Whether it was the bipartisan debacle that preceded raising the Debt Ceiling, the gamesmanship of the Iowa Straw Poll or the president’s bus tour through the Midwest; Yellow Journalists on every side were provided with bushel baskets full of rotten fruit to hurl at one another. When done right, it all sounds very contemporary and cutting edge; but if one listens carefully, it’s really an old song, that’s been sung many times before. Ironically, it is not unlike many of today’s pop hits, which take a familiar hook from an old recording and surround it with a fresh array of electronic effects, to make it sound new. For those who weren’t around to hear the original tune, it can seem revelatory; but to those who were, it feels like a cheap imitation.

It’s amazing to contrast the timbre of pre-election rhetoric, with the tone of mid-term apologetics; and both were clearly on display in Iowa these last few weeks. With Republican presidential hopefuls packing up their tents to leave town, the president rolled into the state on his million-dollar, bullet-proof bus. Despite the precautions, the president took a few shots, not only from the Right, but from those within his own party; many of whom feel as though he’s not sufficiently stood for their cause. As he stammered through an explanation of the reality that made recent compromises (e.g. the Debt Ceiling deal) necessary, he seemed only a shadow of the thundering orator, who only a few short years ago, sparked the people’s imagination. There was little evidence of the seemingly effortless eloquence and self assuredness that accompanied his dialogue in those days; but then again, it’s always easier to paint in broad colorful strokes than it is to explain the details of an incriminating black and white photo. Listening to the Left gnaw at Mr. Obama was eerily similar to hearing the Right thrash George H.W. Bush with the phrase “Read My Lips”; and I couldn’t help but think that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Another interesting tidbit from the bus tour was Mr. Obama’s assertion that real job creation won’t come out of Washington, but that it will be accomplished by the people, in places like the Midwest. While I wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment, it seems a somewhat dubious admission given the grand expectations that were intentionally stirred prior to his election. Politicians on both sides of the aisle are guilty of perpetuating the myth that they can create sustainable jobs, stabilize the faltering economy and maintain our position in the global marketplace. The truth is that the government is not in control of those things and thus no politician can legitimately promise to restore or maintain them. While the government can take steps to help promote such a restoration, none of those actions amounts to a sure fire cure for what ails us. Of course, you wouldn’t know that from the swaggering bluster of GOP hopefuls in Iowa; they are all full of criticism for the current administration and for each other; but I guess that’s the nature of a straw poll. It’s more about hot dogs and hand-shakes than about genuine answers. As I assess these potential candidates, I can’t help but wonder if their mid-term explanations would be any more satisfying than Mr. Obama’s have been. If there is anything that “We the People” should have figured out by now, it’s that there is a world of difference between a gifted speaker, a problem solver, a deal maker and a leader. Unfortunately, we’re top heavy on gifted speakers and deal makers; and desperately short on leaders, who know how to solve complex problems.

As I watch politicians and political parties fall into the same holes that they always have, I find myself pondering whether voters will do the same. Will we seek a legitimate leader or will we run after yet another engaging personality, who promises to make our problems go away. We’ve seen what a Republican administration, with a majority in congress looks like and now we’ve seen the same for the Democrats. Has either party really had the answer for the issues we face? Does it really matter or will we simply vote the same way our parents did. Have we fallen into the trap of believing that the proverbial “they” are the bad guys and that the proverbial “we” are the good guys? In a truly democratic system, the government can’t help but reflect the character of the people and given the current state affairs, that ought to feel like some sort of indictment. Ultimately, we are going to get the government that we deserve; and it’s scary to consider that maybe we already have.